Evaluating the Canon 30-300 Cinema Zoom

The IB/E Universal Mount System (UMS) for Canon Cinema Zooms makes it easy for users to quickly switch between various lens mounts in the field. Of the various mount options, the first available mount was for Canon EF, but with the recent crop of new cameras, you now have the ability to use any of the popular Canon Cinema Zooms (14.5-60, 30-300, 15.5-47, and 30-105) on cameras such as the Sony a7S, Panasonic GH4, or Blackmagic Studio Camera.

Canon has paired its recently released lightweight cine zoom, the CN-E 30-105 T2.8, with the closely matching CN-E 15.5-47 T2.8 Cinema Zoom. Like its sister, the 15.5-47 weighs just 4.85 lbs. Both lenses also share a 300-degree rotation on the focus scale for many precise marks, 11-blade irises, 114mm front diameters for fitting to common matteboxes, and 105mm front filter threads for use when a mattebox is not an option.

Announced at NAB 2012, Canon is starting to ship their lightweight cinema zooms, with the first being the CN-E 30-105 T2.8. Featuring an 11-blade iris, a close focus of just 24 inches, and a low weight of 4.85 pounds, the lens is available in both PL or Canon EF mounts.